When I bought this van, we decided to pay for the extended warranty, which covered everything up to 150,000 miles.
In 2019, we got caught in a snow storm in Northern Califorina. I used snow cables and on the way to Oregon, they broke and ripped the ABS sensor and CV boot. The warranty covered those damages! Including a new CV axle+boot.
I noticed there was a bit of a click when I would go in reverse and before my warranty expired, I had them inspect the Sienna and did the 150k maintanence work.
When I asked about the clicking, they said they would look into it. On their final report, they said they didn’t find anything.
A few months later, I started getting a clunking sound in the front. Come to find out it is the Driver’s side lower control arm’s bushing. I figure just replace the whole thing while it was out.
The shop I took this to said that I would have to change out my axle at some point because it is making that clicking sound. I was so annoyed because how can an newer axle be having that issue.
I then started to have squealing in the front, which let me know my alternator was starting to go out.
I looked at all this and decided to get them taken cared of. I figure it was time to change the alternator anyway as it was the original.
The shop I took it to showed me everything that was wrong.
- Alternator pulley bearing was seized up, so it obviously had to be changed out.
- Axle was a cheap axle and was failing – This was a warranty job from Toyota!
- Ball joint failed too, not OEM Toyota, but blue Moog (which the mechanic said was cheap stuff)
I was very disappointed that Toyota would do warranty work with cheap parts instead of OEM parts. Luckily I kept every receipt from Walnut Creek Toyota’s work.
Maybe it’s just me, but I thought when warranty work was done, it needed to be with OEM parts, especially at a Dealership. I was very disappointed that they would cheap out with warranty work, but I don’t know if that is the normal practice with these extended warranties.
